Jonathan Bernstein, M.D.
Dr Bernstein is the Founder and Medical Director of the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada, formerly known as the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases of Las Vegas. Dr. Bernstein has worked on many fronts to ensure that all children diagnosed with cancer and other complex medical conditions, get the appropriate treatment regardless if they have adequate medical insurance coverage.
Under Dr. Bernstein’s direction the Cure 4 The Kids Foundation was established to support clinical research and the application of that research; seeking to control, treat and cure all types of childhood diseases. For his work at the clinic, Dr. Bernstein has been recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the 2010 Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year.
Dr Bernstein received his M.D. from the University of Rochester School of Medicine; where he also completed a year-long fellowship in Pathology. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. He is Board Certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
Alan Ikeda, M.D.
Dr. Ikeda joined the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada in 2011. He is a Board Certified Pediatrician and is Board Certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. The Children’s Specialty Center worked to recruit Dr. Ikeda in part because of his skills in managing the complexities and needs of bone marrow transplant patients. His research interests include stem cell transplants as well as cell and gene therapies.
Dr. Ikeda received his M.D. from the John A. Burns School of Medicine where he also completed his residency in Pediatrics. He completed his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He served as the Assistant Director of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant program at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA. He is also a member of the Children’s Oncology Group, an international collaboration of children’s cancer research protocols. Dr Ikeda has received several grants and awards for his research efforts in Sickle Cell Disease and Gene therapy.
Dr. Ikeda was born and raised in Hawaii and has been known to entertain patients by playing the guitar.
More about Dr. Alan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd52OD-uzck
Jennifer Buitrago, CPNP
Jennifer has worked side by side with Dr Bernstein since 2006. As a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) she is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to children with cancer and hematological disorders.
Jennifer is a member of the Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nurses (APHON). Jennifer has pioneered education efforts throughout the state of Nevada by hosting educational, hospital-based training programs highlighting the highest standards of practice and care for pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients.
She is the only APHON Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider Course instructor in the State of Nevada.
Jennifer is also a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and serves as the Nursing Responsible Investigator (NRI) for the State of Nevada.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the University of Southern California. She obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Degree at UCLA.
She is Vice President of the Cure 4 the Kids Foundation and also heavily involved with several other local non-profit groups.
More about Jennifer: http://youtu.be/–WJMi-DMpU
Diane E. Brown, M.D., PhD.
Dr. Diane Brown is one of our visiting physicians at the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada. She is a Board Certified Pediatric Rheumatologist, one of only 150 such physicians practicing in the United States. She travels to our clinic once a month specifically to see patients with rheumatological diseases such as: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and juvenile dermatomyositis. Dr. Brown provides the kind of specialized treatment to children that is not otherwise available in Nevada as there are no Board Certified Pediatric Rheumatologists in the state.
Dr. Brown is a Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and University of Southern California School of Medicine.
She received her M.D. and PhD. degrees from the University of California at San Francisco. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine and her fellowship in Pediatric Immunology/Rheumatology at Washington University School of Medicine.
While in Nevada Dr. Brown has spent time exploring and photographing many of our outdoor recreation areas including the Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area.
Katherine Marzan, M.D.
Dr. Marzan is also one of our visiting physicians from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Rheumatology. She is a Board Certified Pediatric Rheumatologist who is helping to set the standard, nationally, in the diagnosis and care of children with rheumatic diseases.
She travels to the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada once a month, separate from Dr. Brown, to see patients with rheumatological diseases. As one of a small number (150) of practicing Board Certified Pediatric Rheumatologists in the country, Dr. Marzan assists the Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada to provide unparalleled access to experts for those affected by rheumatological diseases.
Dr. Marzan is Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics USC-Keck School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
She received her M.D. from the University of the Phillipines College of Medicine. she completed her residency in Pediatrics at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and her fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital.
Nicola Longo, M.D., PhD.
Dr. Longo has been a member of our Visiting Physician Program since 2009. Currently, he is the Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics at the University of Utah. His past professional experience includes Director of Clinical Biochemical Genetics Fellowships Program, as well as Professor (Tenured) in Medical Genetics/Pediatrics and Professor (Adjunct) in Pathology at the University of Utah. He also served on numerous scientific review committees for the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Longo sees patients in Las Vegas on a regular basis. He also oversees the state of Nevada’s Newborn Screening Program which tests all newborns for genetic disorders so that early treatment can be offered, if needed. Dr. Longo is increasing the amount of time he spends in Nevada to expand treatment for those patients with Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD). Bringing Dr. Longo’s unique and specialized expertise to Nevada allows patients to access a level of care not currently available at any practice in Nevada.
Jo Velasquez, Ph.D.
Dr. Velazquez is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She’s been contributing to the vision of Dr. Bernstein since 2006 both by providing services to patients and as a consultant.
Dr. Velaquez’ specialty includes retraining the brain of former chemotherapy and radiation patients to compensate for memory loss and learning disabilities caused by cancer treatment. She also specializes in the common Pediatric Psychology issues of medical fragility, chronic illness and pain and the late effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Dr. Velasquez earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Irvine and received her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology-Alliant International University-Los Angeles. Her proficiency was in Multicultural Community Clinical Psychology.
Her clinical sub specialties include Pediatric and Health Psychology, Biofeedback and Psychophysiology.
